Apparatus and method for producing novel lighting effects



1927- N. SULZBEVYRGER APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING NO VEL LIGHTING EFFECTS Filed Aug. 9, 1922 Hill ill

v glwuentot rays.

, ample of my invention I, herewith, describe letters and a method of their preparation, as

Patented F eb.' 15, 1927.

UNITE NATHAN SULZBERGER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

APPARATUS AN'ID METHOD FOR PRODUCING NOVEL LIGHTING EFFECTS.

Applicatio filed August 9; 1922. Serial No. 580,688.

It is well-known, that luminescent material, both phosphorescent and fluorescent substances (like zinc sulphide, etc., fluorescein, anthracene, uranine, rhodamine etc.,) are readily aroused to activity by light rich in ultraviolet and poor in red and yellow Heat also to a certain extent increases their luminescence. An ideal source of such light is for example, a so-called Kromayr (mercuryuartz) lamp with a screen of Wood or orning glass, which will cut out all or a reat part of the visible spectrum.

The ob ect of my invention is to provide a method for producing novel lighting effects and also comprises the apparatus for doing the same. I have found anew and useful way ofmaking use of the above properties of luminescent material by having such material aroused by a permanent or intermittent lighting arrangement in more or less close proximity to such material, such ma-- terial, for example, being used as a paint or coating of parts and surfaces of the lighting equipment not too: distant from the lightsource and exposed to itsrays. vAs an exsuch are used in connection with advertising, without, however, limiting myself to the specificelements of this description The inside groove of aletter used for advertising purposes, which groove takes u the several electric light bulbs, is coated wit a suitable adhesive material containing zine sulphide of .a phosphorescent .nature.- As such adhesive, sodium silicate may" be used. The bulbs themeselveswere left free from any coating. When the bulbs are lit, the letter will look much like the ordinary letter.

When the current, however is turnedolf; therewill still remain visibihty of the letter due to the phosphorescence of the coating.

Thus, the letter 'will'be visibleand possibly in another color even after the current is off and 'under certain conditions, the letter willshme in itsentirety, while (when the bulbs were on) theletter had a dotted ap- 'tricity bulbs, labor, etc.), as the letters will shine without current for lon .of time and difierent co or's may, by suitable earance, due to the unlit space between the ulbs. Thus, there is a great saving in elecand=also in the equipment (wiring,

- arrangement, be ob ained with one and'the same set of bulbs; The color depends, as

. '.we1 l as the brightness and length of -visitently.

er or shorter periods bility on the nature and quality of the luminescent material used. Additions. of substances and mixtures may be advantageously used toenhance the eifect. Radio-active substances may be used. 'Also light rich 1n ultraviolet .will increase the luminosity. In certain cases, the coating may contain (either alone or in mixture) substances of a fluorescent nature, as rhodamine, uranine etc, which will be visible only as long as the current is on, but may, in cases, require less "current with greater luminosity, particular:

which Figure l is a front elevation of a sign 7 letter according to my invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. 1. :7

On a background 1 any design may be outlined with luminescent material as the letter. N ishere shown at 2. If desired to more. clearly show the boundaries of the luminescent surfacesides may be built up as at 3 although the sides are not necessary to produce the desired 'eflect. Light bulbs 4- are superimposed u on the luminescent surface and outline this surface. Electric curcaused to ass through the'bulbs intermit- Wliile the current is flowing the bulbs produce a dotted li ht effect and when the current is shut o ance as contrasted with the dotted 1i t appearance described above. This pro uces a novel and striking effect. Certain deslred rent is supplied through the wires 5 and 3 by means of the flasher 6 the current 1s the background luminesces producing a solid light a peareifects (for stage, advertising, etc.) may also 5 be obtained by employing a source of light,

practically invisible to the eye and arousing phosphorescent or fluorescent material (or substances-paper, fabrics, etc.-treated with as when using for sources of light, a light containing ultraviolet rays with certain light filters (Wood, Corning glass screens), which walls etc.), prepared with luminescent substances may be visibly shown by the use of more. or less invisible light (for example a mercury uartz lamp with Corning or filter). uch surfaces etc. may be partly covered with phosphorescent and partly luminescent substances) to visible luminosity,

Wood 9' with fluorescent material,'so that parts of the same will be visible only as long as the invisible light is o and othel portions (treated with the phosphorescentsubstances) remaining visible even after the invisible lights, pocket-lamps are particu arly suited for the coatings.

Since I have an application, Senal Number 560,500% filed May 12, 1922, pending in the oflice, at present, dealing, among other matter, particularly also with the coating and frostin of the globes and bulbs themselves with ?uminescent material, the specific reference to this feature is not made in the following claims. Q I

As adhesives for fastening the luminescent substances to the desired places and objects, various materials maybe used, as for example, sodium :silicate (eqecially for glass surfaces), glue, gum arable Avery excellent adhesive,'partioularly adapted for fastening phosphorescent zinc sulphide .to aper, is a solution of chicle gum in benzoL prefer. to coat the paper, etc., with the solution of suitable percentage of chicle, allow the benzol to 'ter the activation ceases. p 3. An advertising device comprising a eva orate and dust on the zinc sulphide,

rub ing ofl, after ,dry, any excess. Such paper remains pliable and well retains the luminescent properties.

The term luminescent used in the speciand a source of light for activating Said surfaces, whereby both the phosphorescent and fluorescent surfaces are luminescent when so activated, and whereby the phosphorescent surface remains luminous after the activation ceases. Y

2. Surfaces partly covered with phosphorescent and partly with fluorescent material and a source of light for activating said surfaces in series with means for intermittently lighting the light, whereby both the phosphorescent and fluorescent surfaces are luminescent when so activated, and. whereby the phosphorescent surface remains luminous a f-' background in part fluorescent and in part phosphorescent, together with a light and means for intermittently lighting it.-

NA HAN- SUIiZBERGER; 

